American psychologist and philosopher Abraham H. Maslow (1908-1970)
coined this term to describe nonreligious quasi-mystical and mystical
experiences. Peak experiences are sudden feelings of intense happiness
and well-being, and possibly the awareness of "ultimate truth"
and the unity of all things. Accompanying these experiences is a heightened
sense of control over the body and emotions, and a wider sense of awareness,
as though one was standing upon a mountaintop. The experience fills the
individual with wonder and awe. He feels at one with the world and is pleased
with it; he or she has seen the ultimate truth or the essence of all things.

Maslow's work has been called groundbreaking because it concerned the
spiritual yearnings of humankind and focused a scientific interest on mysticism. Such an endeavor had been absent
since the work of psychologist and philosopher William James at the beginning
of the twentieth century.

Maslow described peak experiences as self-validating, self-justifying
moments with their own intrinsic value; never negative, unpleasant or evil;
disoriented in time and space; and accompanied by a loss of fear, anxiety,
doubts, and inhibitions.

The two types of peak experiences are relative and absolute. Relative
characterize those peak experiences in which there remains an awareness
of subject and object, and which are extensions of the individual's own
experiences. They are not true mystical experiences, but rather inspirations,
ecstasies, and raptures. It is thought that
probably the majority of peak experiences fall into this category. Absolute
peak experiences are characteristic of mystical experiences, and are comparable
to experiences of great mystics in history. They are timeless, spaceless,
and characterized by unity, in which the subject and object becomes one.

Maslow said that all individuals are capable of peak experiences. Those
who do not have them somehow depress or deny them. Individuals most likely
to have peak experiences are self-actualized, mature, healthy, and self-fulfilled.

Peak experiences render therapeutic value as they foster a sense of being
lucky or graced; release creative energies; reaffirm the worthiness of life;
and change an individual's view of himself or herself. Maslow cautioned
against seeking such experiences for their own sake; echoing the advice
of the mystics who have pointed out that the sacred exists in the ordinary.
Maslow further believed that domestic and public violence, alcoholism, and
drug abuse stem from spiritual emptiness, and that even one peak experience
might be able to prevent, or at least abate, such ills.

Peak experiences also have been said to be comparable to myth: They fulfill
on a personal level what myths historically have fulfilled for whole peoples.
Both embody truths that are independent of factual knowledge, and bring
about attitudinal changes. Symbolism, however, plays a more minimal role
in peak experiences than in myths.

Not long before his death in 1970, Maslow defined the term "plateau
experience" as a sort of continuing peak experience that is more voluntary,
noetic, and cognitive. He described it as a witnessing or cognitive blissfulness.
It achievement requires a lifetime of long and hard effort, he stated.

Critics of humanistic psychology view peak experiences as having a hedonistic
philosophy - a morality of heightened pleasure. Psychologist James Hillman
observes that peaks and highs say nothing of the worth of the person having
them, for they can occur among psychopaths and criminals. Transcendence
by means of a high, he says, is a psychopathological state in disguise.

To the objective observer this appears to be an overall, unjustified
criticism of humanistic psychology. Even though everyone may be capable
of having peak experiences, it does not mean everyone has them. That is,
they can have them if they want to. People have peak experiences without
the aid of psychotherapy. If a criminal has a peak experience it is really
no reflection on humanistic psychology. Each experience has to be judged
on its own merit; does it enhance the person's life, or not? A.G.H.